Ok, so I’m an asshole? Now what!

Ya know, it’s nights like tonight that make me wonder why I keep trying to enjoy concerts, throwing money away, because, apparently, I’m the only asshole in the room ENJOYING the show, because I want to stand up? Seriously? SERIOUSLY? What the hell is wrong with people?

In case you hadn’t guessed, yeah, I’m being a bit sarcastic right now. If I want to enjoy a concert (concert, mind you, not a movie, or something else), by standing up, that IS, in fact my right to do so. Does this make me an asshole? No. Does this make me wrong? Errm, hell no. Last I checked (oh, about, say 3 hours ago or so), standing up at a rock concert was NOT illegal, did NOT break any laws, yet I’M made to feel like the bad guy because I’m standing up. Well, you know what? Too bad! Seriously, just too bad… And here’s what happened:

Tonight was supposed to be a good night. Trav and I were headed off to see a couple bands that really, neither of us were in dire need to see, but it was more about getting out, relaxing, enjoying the evening at the fair, seeing some decent artists (who grossly overcharged, BTW), etc. We get to the fair, meander around a bit, and discover that hey, it’s pretty much the same. So, we sit in line for a few minutes, get in and the show begins.

As usual, I’m standing during the second act (Heart), as they’re a band that I really wanted to see. For some of it, I’m taping, again, as per usual, until the guy behind me says

sit down and do that.

Of course, my response is no. Why? Because , well, if I was sitting down, I would have people’s heads constantly in the video, people’s arms constantly in the video, and on and on, and on. So, what’s this guy do? Well, rather than stand up and enjoy the show (like everyone else at the time), he finds the nearest security guard, who comes up to me a few minutes later and says

I can’t have you taping the show

At this point, I look around me at the 10 others doing the same thing, and tell him

If you want me to stop, then you have to equally enforce that to everyone around me.

Security guy takes off, I stop taping, because I am a nice guy, but, continue to stand. Why? Partly because I’m pissed off, partly because it’s the only way I can get a clear view of the screen (screw the stage, the venue screwed us again with tickets). Rather than fight everyone in front of me waving their hands, getting up and leaving, coming back, etc, etc, etc, I continued to stand so I could see what was going on around me, and so that I could enjoy the show.

Towards the end of the show, asshole at the end of the row (name unknown, or uncared) comes up to me, pushes me. At this point, I told him not to touch me. It was deliberate, he was, of course, looking to start a fight. When the push didn’t work, he started yelling at me. I remained standing, ignoring him, he threatened to bring security, and I told him to go for it, there wasn’t a thing they could do.

less than 5 minutes later, a couple of State Troopers walked up the ramp, pointed to me, and I went down to talk to them. They were real friendly individuals, pointed out to me that I’d done nothing wrong, nothing illegal, and I could, of course, go right back up there and enjoy the show the same way I was doing, if I chose to. They also pointed out that even the individuals were drunk, and harassing me, there wasn’t a damn thing they could do about them, either, despite the assault on me, verbally and physically. Of course, I didn’t expect them to do anything, mind you, but it was what it was.

In the end, Trav and I left between Heart and Def Leppard. I feel bad for dragging him to a show that he didn’t completely want to go to anyways, and then leaving early, but I dunno, there’s just no way I was going to sit around there and let the inevitable fight happen. Yes, it does take a bigger man to walk away from these things and ignore the drunken asshole fools around you. Sometimes, being that bigger man means you have to throw away money (which, I am definitely pissed about), but sometimes it’s all for the better.

A few points to make to concert goers (and apparently common sense rules in life):
#1: You’re at a CONCERT, stop sitting on your ass and ENJOY the show!!!
#2: If you’re not going to follow #1 STOP whining about those that ARE following #1! Just because YOU want to sit down doesn’t mean everyone else HAS to!
#3: If you’re not responsible enough to handle your liquor, DO NOT DRINK at a concert!! Simple, right?
#4: Only a complete douche starts fights at a concert!!!
#5: It’s all about fun, ESPECIALLY when everyone pays the same price. The only difference is that you don’t have the right to verbally, or physically assault others.
#6: Sometimes, everyone just needs to sit back and take a smoke break.
#7: It’s a CONCERT. It’s a public venue where people are cramped and squished together. Make the best of it without going off on someone!
#8: It’s NEVER ok to insult someone, anywhere. Calling them offensive names is not ok, trying to deliberately get someone kicked out because you don’t like them (for their weight, or any other reason), never, ever ok.
#9: Drinking is ok, but know your limit. When you become that drunk asshole, it’s time to go.
#10: If you want someone to do something, it’s BEST not to get them pissed off, because then they’ll just do the opposite to spite you!

THANKFULLY, I’ve never been to an RCPM show where people have been so rude to me (I HAVE had people ask me to adjust my filming so I don’t bump them, apologized and done so, but nothing this drastic) . I’ll keep up the video work for the RCPM community, but I think, because of this, everything else is just going to be taken down.

Anyways, this has been my rant for the month of August. Enjoy! Again, Travis, I wholeheartedly apologize that you got drug into the situation, and out of the show early. I appreciate you hauling my ass up there and back.